The ambush from the last floor was felt throughout the crowd.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwmDc51yqK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3wA9lLTpP
Even though Juke and I weren't affected, the other's faces were considerably downtrodden. Some members were now left without a partner and had to team up with people they weren't very familiar with. Morale was low, especially since our leaders were missing.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5y5KYp27y
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tIC8xHF6p
The remaining group was small, too. Only about eight people were left, meaning that, with the five remaining floors, some were simply required to take them alone. There was chatter of moving as a single unit, taking on each room as a whole rather than having forces split from the group, but others countered that doing so would be abandoning an order and that we had to "trust our other members."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ3Qj3pnpz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvvgKjgw3m
As for me, my nerves only spiked. The image of all those fallen bringers was engraved into my mind, and I desperately tried to keep the word "corpse" out of my head. Over and over, telling myself that they were simply unconscious when the right side of my mind constantly told me otherwise–
**SLAP**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQqBXOhNui
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"Ack!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K4g5J3bh7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyMy6zW2mn
I wasn't prepared for the strength I slapped myself with. My muscles were incredibly tense, and I hadn't even realized.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP6PdQ5383
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GWCHVGlPQ
"No use in thinking about it. No use in thinking about it! Come on!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC8Db9h9LG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHstnGQReg5
I steeled whatever I had left of my resolve and kept trudging through the stairs. I had a complete vision of the crowd, and it made it apparent just how thinned out it had become. To my great dismay, I could even see Rover.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoNqnv61Xm
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"...Useless–!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6Nl2hTP3O
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5DSJsJpQo
I tried not to think about anything that. I knew I couldn't suspend it for long, but every second I could force my legs forward was valuable. So I ran and ran and ran and ran and–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nW6y52XdK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopvHFG5xqH
Suddenly, I noticed something. Though I naturally hadn't been paying much attention to her, the person beside her had changed.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamYMT4BrIs
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR94KVdFO8U
And it was someone I recognized231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8P7NIFsOY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk8qPsDTbh
–
–
–
The most grueling part of this siege hadn't been the laborious running. It hadn't been the various enemies, the threat of death or even seeing allies fall like flies in the previous ambush. No, for Rover, it was restraint.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ru8KfafeB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw4pW8gbyJ
To do nothing in the face of Hard-Bringer gave her near-uncontrollable rage. Those she swore she'd see crumble, running amok and stealing lives as they always have, unable to even point her weapon at them. If it weren't for those looming words by that wimpy child, resting in the corners of her mind like spiders, she would've caved in.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JqtQRhp3q
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSJYJBHfb3
Especially now that her surrogate partner was a completely new face.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGn5ad5GK4
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"Hi."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCFyNZI0Tf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS2b8rSZhT
As she raced up the steps, a man in glasses only a little taller announced himself. She could see him facing her in her peripheral, and though her habits urged her not to, she matched his gaze.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUyDOoR4Ip
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"What!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwbwjHxawc
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Though, perhaps, she should've spared an extra second checking her tone.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivIt04qu5R
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn9Uyirtrv
"S-Sorry for the intrusion, ma'am! I just thought we'd familiarize ourselves."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXmr4OpsXe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDZXd2kquz
His nervous expression didn't loosen one bit. When Rover tried a softer face, the sweat on his brow multiplied. Rover gave up appearances, quickly discarding dismissive dialogue before her introduction.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn55xcjSYNK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKZMNPekwe
"I'm Nigel. You're the volunteer, aren't you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWcq4cm9jb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9CNPkQPMC
"Volunteer makes it sound lame! I'm Rover! L-Let's work well together, alright!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWNs6T8qqm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXfUeAMKV0
Nigel's tense expression eased a little. He worried about a sudden reassignment just as much as Rover did.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoejdeQLh7q
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzOO3wsuxf
"I know this is a bit impromptu, but my partner perished on the floor below. Thank you for bearing with me."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvgyaL4BcJ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl19VR0xd0C
He raised his right hand, one that clutched a metal collar with a tag. Rover knew immediately who it belonged to, and the unusual idea of consolement entered her mind.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmFqnKQVot
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrca8Sp3VbS
"That... that's really bad. I'm sorry for–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtPjLYzOvg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqGkqZjrNL
"Don't worry about it. You've suffered a similar fate, haven't you? We're in the same boat."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrODONNMBcc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWdNkxLx0Y
He kept a smile with those words, but his eyes lacked the light to convince her. He turned his head away, and the two of them kept running up with their usual worries.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcHqg0uKjU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vScji8o12
And then, finally, they hit a flat surface.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeoBG9cgZi
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpUBhWIx1v
"The next room's up ahead!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpuFWVgcwV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANhbjSzf27
She had been in this scene nearly a dozen times already. And each time, she dreaded it. Sprinting to that door, knowing that there would be a monster in man's skin. She swallowed that dread like before, and each time, it poisoned her blood further and further.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeEhUyoF1T
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd92DQSgXQE
The crowd made it to the room. It was relatively small, but an immediate feature was the giant stained windows, granting a tinted view of the city outside. Rover gave minimum attention to the stature of the room, however, because there, by the exit, sat a man who could only be described as–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDGnAL83qw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed7G0Js9Dc
"Holy shit! Are ya a titan!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOeSJn6dmR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9YaOsQcne
Rover glanced behind her, realizing that Juke was the one to yell that. She saw Kenny near him, huffing with his hands on his kneecaps.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAj6FqYTcF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuLpfXHsmN
A titan. It was a familiar word. She heard it from the stories her mother told her. But, of course, there were no titans in King's Peak, only tales of them.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKcniRW3jG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOF8Ql6fjd
But, even if it was only in name, the titan a man was. A member of Hard-Bringer with such size, and his head nearly reached the ceiling when he stood. Such monstrous height intimidated nearly everyone, but for Rover, it was the opposite.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYWaEjzMt5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSgggxksS3
Rover recognized that height. Rover recognized that build, even though it was concealed by robes, and as the man went to pull his hoodie down, the face that appeared only confirmed her intuition.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9zDIcSoR3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQLYH8ZTVo
"This is where your advance ends– huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvdNa7e9QW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2gIJ44y2k
The towering man stopped his speech, compelled by the dashing girl with a rapier in hand. She leaped forward and stuck her foot out, but the man blocked the kick by raising his arm. Rover then thrust her blade, and the man narrowly dodged by tilting his head. However, his angled head was grabbed by her free arm, and through a feat unexpected of her size–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnDUeym9Di
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvoQ3LzJYs
**THUD**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLmtjEqwT5
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She shoved the man down to the ground. She immediately followed with a thrust, but she only caught his robe, and the man scurried away.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE9ePSDWFX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzdN8r1dBE
"...Same tricks as always."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F6HGKkGNz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKtvgePvSG
Though her snide remark was entirely unperturbed, the rest of the room stared with mouths agape, as if they had just witnessed alien life.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uRBhPYWMa
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitsYc8wssW
"Hoh– it is you. You!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHauiq4QPEj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE2I7FfipM
Because, the once hulking, monster of a man, was now suddenly the size of a teenage boy.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFj0RysjGc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALOFO6wbdk
"I never expected to run into you today, Rover! Hahaha!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnbiTNvWsF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE5qyIXMqq
The crowd was stunned. Only one member moved through the shock, and everyone stared to find it was Nigel.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KhsQKBysd
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wJJOS9mEB
"Everyone," he shouted. "Move on, we'll take care of things here!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtPdWj9A3i
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdfpg6AyDL
Rover pointed her weapon at the man, a clear warning to stay in place. The man obliged without much resistance, and Rover turned her head to make sure everyone would leave. But then she noticed how Nigel didn't move one inch to that door, and his use of 'we' only just registered in her mind.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme6D5ppYX7
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"Nigel."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMPZbkifMS
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"Yes?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9s1QW1sYM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtol7iTIBey
"Leave. I'm fighting this one alone."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2DK5znTcK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzj6Acf75I
"...You're kidding me, certainly."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQqdGfGHyW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTyO93plrQ
Rover shook her head back and forth.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEmSgy7o7h
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"Do you honestly think you can take him alone? You saw what he did, didn't you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqADOl1A6qR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1juZWDMlSm
"Of course I did. And I know how it works."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYzgxzlorR
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"You fought him before, then?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ylpri6Y8v
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP6SrTBiO2
Rover quickly nodded. Nigel looked at the man with a constrained face, balling his hands into shaking fists. After an irritated, almost hopeless sigh, he complied. But not before one final word.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFkc0LbgtM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcL33WtVcu
"Aren't you and I a team? Are you absolutely certain?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeLKy8wtFn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62H3AiNCMI
Operating on instinct, Rover nodded, but then his opening question computed with her, and her eyes suddenly constricted.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9A75zWsea
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0JNwQhRdk
"Very well! Don't die on me!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjb9cR3yAX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKGVqw0Fmk
His opening words caught Rover like a chain. It reminded her of that moron's scolding, forced her to consider her vow– her earnest word that she'd cooperate –and inquired why she didn't abide by them. But Rover answered that inquiry easily.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5aepw1r0x
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gvGhI1kOa
This man wasn't just a Bringer. She had a history with him. This man was an enemy. A bipedal wretch, barely human, who boiled her blood and furrowed her brows.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwLsiZo9XR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8tznkzfIg
No, now she was certain of it. This monster had to fall to her hands; anyone else would just be a hindrance. So she would take him alone, as she always had.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yjLuLjJmq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RxW4CgK07
She looked back one last time, making sure that only she and the man were in the room. Nigel was gone, but to her surprise, there was still another member of the crowd there. He drew particular attention. Standing between the exit, not quite leaving it, with clear indecision festering within.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84etA7GcPg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EIqoGVhG4
"Rover," Kenny suddenly shouted. Her eyes moved to his face, constricted and complicated. She was compelled to call it a scowl, but no scorn was in Kenny's face. Only concern, and disappointment.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcVnNw5mBm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwoT4pTn9Q
Even without hearing it, Rover knew his words. It suddenly was difficult, to see his face like that. Now, the embodiment of that vow was staring directly into her. Not just at her eyes, no– she felt the observation of her soul.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2LttobmI6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tTEfcBHwW
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9gf4JRqnt
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It was suddenly difficult to do anything. And yet, the feelings that burned within her formed too great an inferno to douse. If that boy took two steps further into this room, or even one, she felt like she would lash out. She felt like– she knew she would yell at him not to butt in, to mind his own business, to go fuck himself, and to leave her alone. Words that she had slung candidly before. Words that she knew better than family.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUCnnk1nVS
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And so, she communicated with a stern nod, and Kenny's biting mouth chipped his nail.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05RDWFkhlO
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"Fine. Good luck!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPPOCfKZ6y
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And then, he was off. His bidding of good fortune completely stunned her. However, she quickly recovered–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCX1yI1agP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp9OcpxI5E
**THUD**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDcUqeesUV
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"Sharp as always! I'm a fool to think that would work!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrcNxOuIjf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRw66B0Grp
There came a sudden strike from her front, but it was one that she blocked. She freed her rapier from the struggle and backed away, brandishing her weapon and sliding a leg back into a stance.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDejvHg9ug
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgC7OOj3bb
"Are you ready," the man asked, a boorish smirk on his face. She could almost see the swirls in his eyes, the way they lost any reason, seeing only combat and carnage as they always had.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b9RuoJkO8
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She tried to ignore the uncertain, guilty way her stomach formed a pit.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U29o2cuAf
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"Come at me, Boris!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkSp5U4awh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ilKUQwIHe
–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFyAtYZwlU
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–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqTOkpaZpl
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–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ448fyreDRv
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Right before she charged forth, her stalled thoughts sprung into action.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96yO0kEx55
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Rover knew of their volatile unpredictability. But she was always prepared for it. Even on that street, when they made their audacious announcement, Rover hadn't a shocked bone in her body. But to see Boris utterly defied expectations. She wished she had more time, maybe a moment to sharpen the tip of her rapier, to check the grip on her dagger. But it was too late now, and as she took her first step into battle, she lost all leeway to care.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDNxeYuRhX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqMdz7lSCA
Boris contested her dash. As he charged forth his smaller stature expanded slightly. He leaped forward, but it wasn't to tackle or to grab. He swung his hips and turned ninety degrees, unbending his legs for a sudden drop kick.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz01LZCLOt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCYHCoVsDH
Rover blocked it with her hands. His increased size made the blow harder to cope with, but she still only slid a foot back. Now on the ground, Rover seized the opportunity to stab at the man. She thrust once, and her sword was met with the sole of his boot.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq58g0xXyKn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L310qVGRE
"Huh!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZZ8Anfqx2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig5PxdMP6K
He spun onto his belly, catching himself with his hands, using her rapier as a borrowed axel. He pushed himself off the ground with enough force that, even with his lack of leverage, he flew as a battering ram toward her. Rover's rapier nearly snapped under the pressure, but she moved it away before its steel blade turned into a wobbly tube. She ducked Boris' charge, but he grabbed onto her rapier, swinging back around and destroying Rover's balance. Rover, however, had only one hand on that Rapier.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5WmMTHK9C
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe3VkhFSuW
"Hah!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgkITOd68o
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She used her other to grab her dagger and stabbed at the man. He took the blow unceremoniously, even growing to lessen it, and she was sure it hurt by the subsequent grunt. He flew off her rapier a solid few meters away, taking Rover's dagger with his body.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOg6cbwDk0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPyT2zAtPr
But she didn't let up, because she knew that if she waited any longer–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNRkaoWNxp
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"Here!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjfoyWqjbj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjkQSAo95r
Boris dislodged her dagger and he chucked it like a throwing knife. Rover caught it at one of its crossguards, but as she was distracted with doing so, the man performed mana spinning.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHUJsTw3LW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXxbevO09L
"Good thing that dagger's so thin. Otherwise, this wound wouldn't be so easy to heal."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTYK1Porw0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigfen1D1cH
"Tch."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiLpJrnssr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJodwIGy7p
Boris returned to his former size. He stroked his chin, tending to his thoughts as he stared down Rover. She afforded him no time and charged forth. She thrust her rapier once, met with a jerk away, and thrust it again. She repeated her thrusts, each of which dodged but less comfortably each subsequent attempt. Rover knew him better, however. She knew that right as she thought she'd get him, he would pull an underhanded trick. So she assumed the eyes of an analyst, narrowing them and gazing at Boris like a hunting cat.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXzvUXWiSl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnyO9YR484
**CLANG**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP34Ehrxl9B
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyR4YuRngl
And that trick came. Boris caught her thin rapier between his hands, clamping it so fiercely that the metal would snap any moment. But Rover's stance suffered no blow, and poised to strike back, she slung her leg from her side. The blow struck Boris right under the rib, and from his obvious wince, the damage wasn't meaningless.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kzDLToND8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjFqC4Ptkl
She struck again quickly, sliding her rapier out and using the butt of its hilt like a rock, smacking Boris square in the face. Boris reeled from the blow and took a few steps away, but Rover swung her arm back and straightened her Rapier, honing in for a vicious thrust.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mbC0Xjfbe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3A3Fm0qEm
That thrust, however, had been dodged. And the force Rapier stockpiled only sent her tumbling to the ground. She never landed, though, because a sudden fist to the face replaced her embarrassing fall with a punitive flight. She soared across the room, disoriented, anchoring herself on the floor with her Rapier right before colliding with a wall.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6T28f7ECc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslzmSFyrO7
As she gathered her bearings, she saw Boris charging forth with a puffed chest. Only, it wasn't puffed, but swollen to inhuman degrees. The image of a bull came to her mind, and for a moment she was paralyzed. But she shook the intimidation off and stepped away, missing a blow that–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGl8E8g1Cy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISkcjzBgeh
**SMASH**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuLZ9YbRLW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm1nCEouAM
–shook the room as it ruined the wall.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnsw3hLzwS
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"Ack. Shit!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAGvqzKxfC
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsvwMCRQyi
Rover realized his reckless gesture was an attempt at an early victory, but she was too energized to fall prey to it, and now Boris was only more hurt.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKjeR2zza8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzH4jVnAvh
"These tactics don't work how they used to. You've grown. Haha, you've truly grown!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqzAmedxNK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq9ZVY6Prn
Boris deflated his comical size, returning to a more reasonable stature.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz7jhL8APR
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"But not enough."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwqYTk5c1M
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoZqOhiipg
"--!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3JL4pFYME
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUA0SS1irL
Those words, unlike anything prior, brewed steam within her head.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqRFdKIJEM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGemMcMmvJ
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm kicking your ass!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsn6syIHgP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6RsMXwJoP
He wiped some dirt off his shoulder.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAzT7YDgES
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfPZFQv2yQ
"Your intellect hasn't improved one bit, has it? Can't you tell I'm still toying with you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLD8yYEV4X
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtzjmy8YCf
Her jittering mouth couldn't open to respond. So badly did she want to deny it, to call him out for being coy. But to do so, would just be to lie.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApTeGE3Y2J
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiVKgWfyaY
"I remember when you and I first met. Back in those ivory fields, when I offered you a home, you scowled at me and called me scum. That a bringer like me ought "231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4AwVFn7gz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03j9VMgbSH
"...So what? What are you getting at, shitface?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPLVdTEVF2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAl5rnr6h9
He smirked. He placed his hands behind his shoulders, closing his eyes. Rover didn't understand what he was doing, and that worried her. That worried her deeply because she thought she knew every trick this monster could pull. She thought she knew every ace up his sleeve, every nook and cranny of his capacity.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIb4V0OtRN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8EEalta8v
But, as she was proven yet again, keeping expectations like that was for fools.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFuWpCEUc2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWE9ozywbf
From the back of his shoulders, cylindrical masses of earth formed, taking shapes and morphing as his hands moved outward. His arms stopped just above his chest, and as he lowered his arms, Rover's eyes blew open, her clenched throat vomiting a gasp.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBjvOknsLE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw4IjmazmA
"You talked so much of this goal of yours. Of how you'd beat me. Of how you'd prove yourself to me and all of my colleagues."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ARMGwWtU1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFobD8Nxyzg
From the back of his shoulders, a new pair of arms found home, and they pointed their fingers with snappy girth.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPpgwPoqBb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYqTHfnQFh
"Hahaha! Come! Show me that this time, you'll do just that"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRTo0DF79g
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIymjTCvnF
"--Fine!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PN1mGlYEh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mh2cCSy17
Though the doubling of his limbs was obviously intimidating, Rover tried not to be dissuaded by his appearance. She charged forth, dagger now firmly in hand. After all, if she fought the new Boris with a stale arsenal, she'd be crushed.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFUHuXYtdO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAbt5YZtJ6
She began with a thrust, and immediately it was caught by one of Boris' earthly arms, not budging an inch. He bent his legs and threw a regular punch at Rover, one she avoided with a backstep. Her rapier was now confiscated, and she watched Boris raise it with his earthen arms.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcrGKZuXG3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHGlDW4fJz
Something inside urged her to scream in defiance. To yell at that man not to do it, but she pushed that unburied temptation down with a commanding glare. Gazing at Boris as he snapped the rapier like a twig.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAadf1Lzag
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOw7yu6UW2
"Well," he asked, "what now?" He threw the split rapier to the side and taunted Rover, daring her to come closer. Rover didn't fall for the taunt, because what she had was not rage– at least, not at the man before her.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7qhxKTiAO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMgoNPf5DJ
Rather, her shaking fists were directed at herself. She raised the dagger and looked at it. Despite its needle-like blade, the curved cross-guards made it a poor tool for thrusting. This was her only weapon. This and her fists, anyway, but if her past had taught her anything, it was that fists were a futile tool against him.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqzk19WySW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHJX0Z7HYW
"Completely still. But, of course, you lost your only way to kill me. Will you give up?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKvN2htvLu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3kiFHRC05
"...You're counting me out already. It's pissing me off!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9LW0mxruW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktgXxzrGXr
Yes, her remaining weapon was better suited to defense. Yes, she was physically weaker than Boris. But if her kit made it so that she lived and died by the presence of her rapier, she would've gone all those years traveling King's Peak for nothing.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLFGA61idm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H9rTpCePa
"You've learned nothing, you overgrown oaf!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtkuNDiSKj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCTDvOENjG
Her free hand latched onto the strap around her waist, turning it and revealing the satchel that had gone unnoticed by Boris. Unzipping it and reaching for its contents, Rover pulled out an item that made his eyes widen. A thin, elongated, but sturdy vial, one that fits comfortably into Rover's palm.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr3HZRSkDM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FMcbWgBmh
"...I see. Hahaha, I see! And what kind of exotic mana does that hold?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZxVTRzloW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TmecQwysR
"Come and find out!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimi7SKUFo0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgGYWNA3fi
And for the first time in the battle, Boris broke the neutral state, dashing at Rover with arms blazing. A result that came at the worst time possible. Because, although Rover revealed her condition for victory, not a single thought of how to use it came to her mind. And thus, she panicked.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXZS0B9AOJ
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Fortunately, she was always a better runner than Boris.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ugWeENDGR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfIFugkSZt
"Get back here! Come on you coward!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g9K9lDuTe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EIigk9nEr
Rover dismissed those venomous words. Or at the very least, she tried to, but its potent bite was felt throughout her body like the mountains of sweat her brow was producing. She had no idea what to do. For a moment she doubted that she remembered what the vial even contained. But one look at it, at its orange hue that signified distinct divergence, assured Rover that much.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhLCWmc0k3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5XsDhJ2t5
And then, the answer came to her. The wave of panic crashed with the gentle grace of summer water. She stuck the dense vial in her mouth and turned around.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvviW3NN0tY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXtQlU2vG6
"Finally!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhLoipDZBx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5XRibzBqM
Boris threw his earthen arms directly at her, which Rover dodged. In a bent position, Boris brought both his arms up to uppercut. Rover blocked one fist with her palm and stabbed through the other.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx9HdFy0UN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlYLZcnbI3
"--Ack! Shit!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqhzGYmX7I
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEbldnGlTi
The parrying dagger slid smooth like silk out of the wound. Rover dashed back immediately, anticipating some kind of reaction.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwbVLeZ6Ar
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA4NLz6FTC
"...My fingers are broken. Just what is that dagger made of?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4ypSvvYem
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJFFvoMyCU
And then a profound smile found itself on her face. He backed away to perform mana spinning potent enough only to close his wound. Those broken fingers were just what she needed.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGP0ZVeHZo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrvAdJaNKE
She performed a swift dash, closing the gap between Boris and her. He immediately put his earthen arms up as a guard, disjointed just enough from his body to make an attack impossible. Rover thought this sudden focus on defense as suspicious, even as the mana spinning on his hand gave her a reason, so she dared not approach without caution. After all, with how volatile his size changes were, he could–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLR7rpUPou
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA0kwEmF2d
"...!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnjk6ObUkq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNWHaTPOcz
Her past experience came to the forefront of her mind, and now she observed her reality with a perplexed perspective. He barely altered his size throughout this fight. He stopped only when–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjJTG8LWzc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqxWKnXSwi
"Ah-ha!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n5y18KDeO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqusfaC7um
Though her profession of understanding was muffled by the glass between her teeth, it made the rise of her confidence no less explosive. She seemingly threw all caution to the wind, charging forth directly into his earthen arms. Boris dashed away, keeping Rover at a distance, but to no avail. Her speedy struts caught up to his back peddling quickly, and instead of attacking, Rover grabbed the earthen hands.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnq1FIiwOp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv1H7aWxvm
The gesture alone confused Boris for a moment, just enough to stun him for what happened next.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP7F6QWkcp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx6Z7qANoJ
**THUD**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mZilyafaU
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"Urk!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oTEPoJOfu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5esWVGWDq4
Using those arms like a swing, she propelled her feet into Boris' gut. But she didn't stop there. Because there was no better opportunity to do this than now. She pulled the glass right out of her mouth and popped the lid open, throwing it at Boris as she fell to the floor and rolled away.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG20tKh9P7k
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrdq3flLIF
Now at a distance, Rover observed the magic. But no magic came.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsQ7fERisK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidBcTlrDGL
"Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ru6FcLjI4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6jRT76nl7
There was a fluttering cloud of orange dust before Boris, permeating through the room like any ordinary gas would.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF2sCaaNZ3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zyw5Asjk8
"Haha! What was I afraid of!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUC1Ub1sP0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1kjlBVHVN
Boris broke into a bellowing laughter. He held his gut not only to soothe the pain but to hold back his chuckles. Rover knew he would've pointed at her had one of his arms not suffered damage, and though that made her bitter, she kept herself composed for the moment.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMGs9xFSzN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xrpjHHAqo
Boris quit his laughter, wiping a few tears out of his eyes. The orange cloud permeated slowly, so it still was rather thick, but that didn't dissuade Boris from sticking his head in and smelling it like morning air.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk0QuUR1Qb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YA0L6KZHh
"What's this? Doesn't smell like anything. You crack me up. At least you put on a good show!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z3CsZR2Gv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOnk3y9WP8
Boris threw his arms wide.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHRCgBZbq5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeEy8poo3E
"But I like fights more than performances. I'll do both of us a favor and end this–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBknkxz7uXF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU3chzAUeP
In a flash, as he spoke, as the spit flew out of his face, and as the lids of his eyes closed to blink, he raised his leg one step forward. With that leg, his body followed right after, crashing into the dust of orange, spreading it just far enough that it contacted the earthen arms.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4gZgrSF04
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhvzGApx5v
And then the magic happened.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOzUDcTjNY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tqnTYqPIJ
**BOOM**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeUhtm54v9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN331RkJnQo
That cloud of dust erupted with volcanic ferocity, an explosion so small, yet so extreme that Rover struggled to keep her footing. A great cloud of smoke took the place of Boris' body, and Rover looked on with the slimiest grin she had ever worn.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu5ROtcrEn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCvkCtJMG3
"Heh. And I even figured out your actual size."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5v03wUaqH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOdFQsoB2j
She stood up and wiped whatever junk found itself on her shoulder. She approached the site of the explosion, and just like in her memories, it was near heatless. She didn't get too close, however. Just close enough to see Boris' crisps, when that cloud of dust would eventually fade.
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfaH83btek
"Hmmm? This is taking a while–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeJEDYrFxy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y4sSfRKyZ
And indeed, that cloud of dust faded. It faded rather fast. But then Rover realized it wasn't that the dust faded. Rather, something had stolen its spot.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7vZ1FG8TN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom8FsPx7Aw
The arm of a titan, reaching out for her, with its open palm like a claw. Rover's instincts forced her body to dash away. Then she stood and watched. Watched as a hulking mass exited the site of the explosion.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JX0Qp5utE
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Then, it shrunk.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLdPQHDxBf
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"Oh ho ho, you marvelous beast."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoOCUB6Hab
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUDUS0O0iR
Boris' robes were gone. Cinders, undeniably. Then was the leather armor Rover knew he always wore. That was gone too. The only article of clothing that remained were his pants, and even they were hardly intact. He was covered in burns blistered the likes of which she'd never seen, and his earthen arms were now missing. By all strings of reasoning, Rover should've dashed in and dealt the final blow. But she couldn't.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjuTsUuuCO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jvdwnrjOK
Come to think of it, it was the first time she'd seen a part of his body aside from his face. And now she felt as if she just discovered a new man. Because all around Boris' torso was a carpet of gaping, sporadic holes.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0tZLarQY4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lvw6dXYP2
"I can see it in your face. Your disgust. But I know that there's awe in those eyes. How couldn't there be?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJeyFukwGX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rSbrQYZcc
Rover snapped out of her trance and brandished her dagger.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCGOmrHVNf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnABLda5It
"What you're seeing is my Endowment. Many have called it a curse, but I'm not so ungrateful to insult it like that."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdc1mfIatH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQynfGXtPw
Boris raised his unbroken arm. He began mana spinning, forming a brick of earth in his hand. And then, from the large hole centered at his navel, the very same brick spewed out and plummeted to the ground.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtovNIuGelt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2V9jQjBVT
And then, a few seconds later, another brick spat out a different hole.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sBcUEGt3V
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmWqfSG1Qb
"Those arms I formed made for a dandy shield, wouldn't you say? Though of course, you hit me in the last place it spawned. Lucky you."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iXqdll59a
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy7S3FRm2C
Another brick spewed out. It came from his shoulder.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N3A6iSwal
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG01cRl6pU
"Well, you've certainly made a mess of my face. But I don't need good looks anyway."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pL1LEZbON
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iPjYI3d9T
He dropped the brick in his hand right as another spewed out. He wound his arm, as if to stretch it, then gazed at Rover with the eyes of a monster.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLqFiBfkCW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oL59TxFwy
"You're not done fighting, are you? Come on."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX1YmUvsCe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTU0pQrAXL
"...Freak."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdklXc7TeUl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgutQJVQTS
"Oh yeah. You loved calling me that before, didn't you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP8GwIokgE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfYLdXvlAc
"And just look at how right I was."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCfgHwfoRV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbBu5O7uzy
A hearty chuckle came from him.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelUgWcZJpf
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"Well, that won't do you any good."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG45sVLnwH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN83WiHawZ
Boris entered a stance, taunting Rover yet again.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjk0gGwLAn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWkfTUANC3
"Come on. My legs are scorched. Your marvelous plan gave you this opportunity."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqrfertYzo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5D0GGU0nz
She put one leg forward.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0azW6yVgII
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"You've got brains since the last time we met. At least, more than I expected. You used them well. You're still worth keeping around."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpszDB6CFh
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Then another. Boris' grin grew wider.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hyU7e1kcY
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"A helpless dog like you shouldn't loiter around! Come on, Rover! Don't you have something to prove!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9QY3p13Eh
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And even through his manic glare, Rover sprinted. She sprinted with energy to finish, the will to see that monster put down.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHPTWNeKjn
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–
–
–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoRohIZyCd
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–From an onlooker's perspective, Rover could see why she'd get concerned stares. Even though her body locomoted tactfully in the fight, the windows to her mind made contorted, bemused shapes. And the removal of her dagger compounded that contortion.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUUUO1zi0i
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She threw a fist forward. It was slapped away by Boris, and he attempted a counterattack. Rover tucked her head just in time, and with the tiny space between her skull and his arm, she jumped. Boris avoided a dislocation, but Rover kept the assault with a kick from the side. It was blocked by his other hand. She slipped away just before it got caught, and using her right leg like an anchor, delivered a flurry of kicks at Boris, who went to block them.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia7zpFVoq3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYyPURVWle
–Rover's kicks were laced. Whether it hampered or bolstered them wasn't something she knew or cared about. At some point, she forgot all about the process of kicking, her mind wandering to holes in her gut. The oozing pastries behind the glass, unable to snatch that gilded stash.
Boris quit his consecutive parries, realizing that such a task was a fool's game. He backed away, which took a moment to compute with Rover, and Boris used that moment to charge in and deliver a quick blow. Rover fortunately blocked it, and as she didn't slide across the room, she had ample leverage to pull a maneuver. She spread her arms and wrapped them around Boris, turning around and putting it over her shoulder. Boris was bigger than her, but that mattered little with her strength. She threw him onto the ground, and his back's unceremonious clash with the floor made its effects apparent on his face. However, Boris pointed his vacant hand at her and out came a burst of wind. Rover didn't have the reflexes to dodge at such a short range and went flying across the room.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7FVIeoSkM
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–Those morphing cakes reeked of red. Its verdant smell commanded her to smash the glass, but she was smarter than that. She knew that if she broke the shield, she'd lose on the spot. And that couldn't happen. Her blood boiled to steam. Her teeth ground themselves to powder. It was inevitable, seeing as that's how it always went.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CMVRDgUfg
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Boris jumped up from the floor right as Rover landed on it. She struggled to get back on her feet, as the blow from his spell sent her head into a frenzy, but she made do with her wobbly knees. Boris charged forth and tackled with his shoulder. Rover tried to block it, and though she avoided any serious damage, she was swept off her feet yet again. Boris followed with a kick, but right as his foot was about to connect, another gust of wind blew from his chest. It saved Rover from a painful blow and sent Boris soaring away, but the edges of the gust still connected, and she was back on the floor.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zED128TZg
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–When things get at arm's length, they become untouchable. But the obstacle isn't always a protective pane of glass. Sometimes it's a shelf, one just high enough so it's out of your reach. Rover jumped for years, but every time her legs grew stronger, or her arms grew longer, the shelf grew with her, but always a little more. Eventually, her fiddling fingertips couldn't even brush it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4YCgj1ocR
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Rover fought yet again to get her feet to the ground. She wiped her mouth with her arm and spat out blood-infused spit. She must've cut her inner cheek.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOUoPDdmC6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpc4W6L9It
Boris was far away from her, but charing with full awareness. His pace slugged from before, it was clear to Rover that the explosion still affected him. She used that thought to muster her remaining strength and met Boris' charge head-on. The two entered a series of throwing and avoiding fists, and Rover's superior speed gave her an edge. She landed blows square in the chest, and as she hit his pores, they immediately constricted. Rover cared little as to what that meant and kept bashing, but then Boris landed a fist into her cheek. She rolled with the hit as well as she could before rounding back with her strongest punch yet. It landed right into Boris' palm. He twirled his arm, a clear attempt to break Rover's own, but she had experience with such tricks. She put her free hand onto Boris' and jumped, countering his rotation with her own, and kicking him in the head. But Boris didn't release his grasp, and instead threw Rover up and punted her gut.
–There was almost no doubt in her mind of what would happen. It was inevitable, in spite of her struggle. She was going to lose. Would she die? She knew Boris well enough, and so she knew she wouldn't. But to her, no future existed beyond the time of her loss. No prospects are had at the precipice of failure. It was like the blackness of recollecting one's memory as a fetus. But if these rotten thoughts were all that were within her, then maybe she could've squeezed out a tie.
Rover fell to the ground, wheezing and panting, remnants of her stomach escaping from her mouth. She expected an immediate attack and braced herself, but such an attack never came–
**THUD**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfebBwb4zsZ
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Rover ate a kick to the face. She rolled across the ground but stopped herself quickly. Her right eye was covered in red, but she could see Boris even through a blizzard. He stomped to her, but Rover didn't move. She reached into the sheath and grabbed the hilt of her dagger, and right as Boris was in range to attack, she threw the weapon at her.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSALRuAlgEf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4sdv06NJL
–There were chains around her arms, doubts in and out of hiding, pouncing and making escapes with military expertise. There was guilt in her limbs, the ones she used to seal the oath she carelessly shattered. There was anger in her stomach, the one that was always there, residing like a parasite but pulsing now as if it was bound to burst. There was sorrow in her heart, the one she used to fuel words about things she just didn't understand. The one she used to hope. But one affliction was chief among them all.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiC4UODuHH
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Boris was caught off guard, but not as much as Rover hoped. He just raised one of his arms and let the dagger pierce right through. Boris' screaming was nearly musical to her. Blood leaked from the edges; it was clear the dagger was like a clog. But even so, Boris pulled the dagger out of his arm and sealed the blood-spewing hole with his fingers, performing mana spinning.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN62mD7mlo
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"You have gotten smarter. Or maybe I've just gotten dumber."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0scVeLdPm
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Rover tried to get up and attack. After all, he was right in front of her, making himself vulnerable. She tried, and she was able to get her upper body off the floor, but Boris kept her down with another kick to the chin. Any strength to rise departed, and all Rover could do was watch as Boris approached.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdA8aOZL7O
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"What a shame. For you, of course. This is the closest you've ever gotten, but you didn't have that extra push."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JRJv4gNzy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmcQLmCxHk
Rover balled his hands into a fist, scowling at Boris with daggers for eyes.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZhGSorqiZ
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"Relax, now. Twisting your face won't kill me. Might as well save the energy."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopfDcjAqji
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"You... ass."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMoZQO9NYI
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Boris stopped before her legs, staring at them while pinching his chin. Rover couldn't begin to imagine what was going on in his head. But she kept on scowling, even hissing at him as if the action would deter him at all.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBH6x3zqwW
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"You're not crawling away?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLfioqMNi4
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"...I'm not a damn worm."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HNTtYAJVJ
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"Right. You never were the type to do that. But your insults are missing. Well, not that it matters."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMROqP9Nx2N
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Boris crouched down and gazed at her legs. A shiver crawled up Rover's spine, one that left tingling dread in its wake.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ft4xQvmiM
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"I'm spent, but I can't let you run around either. So how about I do, this?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbVMTcpWZG
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He grabbed her left leg by the ankle, and as he did so, he began mana expulsion. He formed a great club of earth in his hand and walked over to her hip. Immediately, Rover knew what was going to happen. She moved her arm in an attempt to slap it away, but her hands couldn't reach him.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPOy7uq3Zf
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But, she still tried. As Boris raised the club above his head, the corners of her eyes were taken by darkness. More and more area, subjugated by black until only the very center of her pupils had the ability to look. They stared at the club, as it stood motionless above his head, and she knew any second it would come down, and she knew any second she would be made a fool.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2lIggpuG7
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And she couldn't do a thing.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaagLvUCYke
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–Frustration. It was her frustration. The object of her long-lived hatred, its ambassador stood right there. But she was being beaten down like a dog. An injured mutt who had to limp on all but one of its legs, even unable to beg. At the edge of achieving her dream, her ultimate goal, she was forced to watch it slip further and further away. And then she realized, she couldn't destroy Hard-Bringer. And then she realized, she couldn't even scratch it. And then she realized, she'd have to wait again, and then train again, and then search again, and then despair again. And as the final blow of the battle came, only two words sprung from her mind:231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNigrjrc9b
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e3VkekFWA
Sorry, mom–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAj8FX05tQ
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**CRACK**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObv7GIgLdr
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"AG– AAAAAAAAAAHCK!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxaZZQo9Ka
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Her nearly six years of combat experience couldn't have prepared her for this.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqhMSDcRwp
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"And there goes your leg."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqtUXNQBNF
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She knew of no word to describe the sensation. Seething, writhing, pounding, shocking,
burning, aching, twitching, pulsing, churning– nothing came to her mind to describe it. The shattering of her femur, shooting fragments of bone like shrapnel to the lining of her skin, but not enough to pierce it. As if dozens of bugs drilled through her flesh, as if an entire home landed on her leg– that's what it was like.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQo1Vea45V
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"It's funny. If it hadn't only been you, I'd probably be dead."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWuDBHz7as
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She couldn't even move to clutch her leg, to soothe it in any way. The most she could do was groan and yell and grit her teeth, but none of that was possible at once, and when her focus got captivated by his words the way it did, the pain exponentiated.
"Dogs like you– they like to hunt alone. But the moment they face something threatening, they bite just short of drawing blood. Maybe then, you're a defective wolf."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2VNzqXEh0
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Boris uncrouched and stepped away as a club of earth spat from a pore. He was clearly haggard, limping as he walked away, hardly able to move one leg before the other. That was the only consolidation Rover was afforded; a tiny solace within the sea of agony.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZk5owXpFH2
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But those words of his stole it away.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dty7H2DKl
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"Raw strength wins yet again. You got close, but I am still undefeated. Until we meet again, Rover."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWgnMjWe4e
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Boris continued limping away until he reached the wall. Then, reeling his fist back, he smashed the glass panes open. He looked down and whistled before turning around and looking at Rover.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsylUBaABK7
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She wanted to scream, but all the efforts of her throat and lungs were channeled to ease her suffering. And oh, how she hated it. How she hated the grin of his face, an arrangement of his teeth and mouth designed for eating feces. He waved her goodbye and jumped off while cackling like a witch.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszWvcIGOoL
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No strength to draw, no will to push. All Rover could do was lay there and cope, lamenting her loss and that wretched monster's words.
